Cultural influences and patient behaviour: some experiences in the paediatric ward of a Nigerian hospital

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Abstract
An attempt is made to analyze the incompatibilities between the professional and the layman''s ideology in terms of models of illness and their treatment. From an interview with pediatricians at the Ile-Ife Teaching Hospitals Complex in Nigeria, it was determined that the conflicting encounters experienced could be divided into 2 groups: opposition as a result of religious ideology, held especially from the Jehovah''s Witnesses Sect; and opposition as a result of some child-rearing practices that were being strictly upheld by the mothers of the patients. From the cases cited, it was noted that the adherence to some religious ideology was so strong that some patients were willing to withdraw from hospital treatment when it conflicted with a tenet of their religion. Of particular relevance here, was the fact that a religious leader of this sect agreed to a transfusion after he had been assured of secrecy. In this particular case, it was obvious that he feared losing face among his followers. It was felt that a more flexible relationship between the doctor and patient would reduce the tension; hence a case was a made for a transcultural perspective based on an adequate knowledge of behavioral sciences.

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